Cake Pop Adventures!!

Oh how I love the holidays. Other then family & friends, I'm am (selfishly) a fan of gifts. Here me out before you get judgey.

I'm the biggest giver come Holiday Season. Everyone at least gets a card. If we are close you get something awesome, just ask my friend Alex. I got him a beer mug with his FACE painted on it! Courtesy of Gina M of Crystal Peace Studios. (Side note: her work is amazing and she is the nicest person I've ever had the pleasure of meeting on Etsy.com thus far.)

One thing I got for Christmas from someone special was a Bella Cake Pop and Donut Hole Maker! I couldn't be happier. I have been looking for something like this for so long! Now, I'm not a profession baker or anything, you'll believe me when you see the photos, but a good old fashion girl who likes to spend quality time in the kitchen. I also love taking photos so here we are.

My Journey begins...

I used just a typical Betty Crocker yellow cake box mix & yes, that is my polka apron I have on. Thanks for noticing =).

They turned out amazing, but it did take a few batches to finally get ones I didn't have to throw out. At first my mom and I figured we could just give them little icing hats, but as we're not at great at icing... they were just dollops on top of cake pops.

So, there sat a lonely bag of dark chocolate chips.. and there came our idea.

So we dunked the ones we had left into the lake of melted chocolate & when we ran out of cake pops to dunk, that's when the real creativity started. Give two women a fondue pot of chocolate and just watch the magic happen!

We ran out of things to dunk so on came the home made Peanut Butter Cups! (my mom's favorite by the way.)

I only have one word of advice if you make these at home... make them much much smaller! We had to split one and still couldn't finish it because it was rich! #toomuchfood


Enjoy your snowy Saturday!

xoxo, Meila

Bedroom Make-over!

It is about that time.. & might I say way overdue. My parents are kind enough to convince me not to move out of the house just yet, for many reasons, but the deal was that I was going to redo my room.

Honestly? This should have been done about 6 years ago lol. It looks exactly the same as when I was 10. Same walls, same furniture, same terrible terrible window dressings. I just can't look as pastel striped walls anymore. It's driving me even more crazy then the fact that I am still living at home, but ANYWAY...

I am extremely excited to get this going. So far... Pintrest has been my best friend and interior decorator. I know that My walls will be a medium grey and my bed will have drawers in it.

One thing I don't like about my room now is there is just no room! The walls are literally lined with furniture. There was so much room to put things that now my space is overflowing with "stuff". Taking the storage space down a notch will make me clean out... & give me peace of mind.

Let's be honest... everyone needs that lol.

I'll keep you updated.

xoxo Meila

Camouflage

I've always been a fan of the camo persuasion. Most likely for no other reason that I look at sticks and fields every morning I wake up. One thing I always wished was that the fashion world would take more of a risk in that department.

I'm not talking about the camo that you see now. The so called "Army Print", which by the way.. they don't use anymore. I'd much rather see them used the "Real Tree" print instead... Let's see if we can't make something for that, shall we?

xoxo Meila

'Tis The Season!

Not only am I busy, busy, busy, but sickness is in the air! I go to a different school every day so I was bound to catch something.

Thankfully, I skated through the weekend without any symptoms!

I traveled down to East coast to Virginia to see a good friend of mine and see the sights. We went pumpkin picking and found our way through a corn maize! (See what I did there.)

(J.Crew shirt, American Eagle ripped jeggings, Jessica Simpson aviators, mother nature's pumpkin)

Of course, It was slightly cold out, & by slightly I mean it was absolutely freezing) so we headed back. Seeing as we had ourselves a great set of pumpkins... there was only one thing to do... CREATE!

(My secret is out... I'm a nerd.)

& just in case you thought I was tired of being cold, I decided to elongate the torture and sit outside in the rain the next night in the freezing cold. The only reason it was all worth it... I was watching baseball. Never mind the 3 hour rain delay and the fact that we lost... It was still great.

(Tulle jacket, Special military Orioles hat)

& here I sit with my weekend over, my work week already begun, and my immune system fully taking the hit. Tonight I will indulge in soup, Netflix, and some serious zzz's. Until next time =).

xoxo Meila

P.S. - Words to live by: Don't ever wear TOM's in the cold rain for more then 2 hours. You won't feel your feet until the next day.

Birthday Work Day!

& Happy Birthday to me! Good times.

Tonight, I want to talk about work attire. I see so many articles written and photo shoots shot for what to wear to work... at the office. I'm a photographer. More then that, I'm a photographer who works with kids... So the hot heels and pencil skirt is just not going to cut it for me.

Thanks to a wonderful store called Express, I have found the perfect work pants. They are sleek, comfortable, and professional. I have bought 3 pairs of these pants in black, 2 skinnies and 1 boot cut, and I wear them every day I work.

Next, the shoes. my choices are brown and black. I choose Sperry's because they are comfortable and easy to slip on, but I'd really like a nice pair of comfortable oxford. Much more professional rather then nautical (not that I'm getting sick of it or anything).

These 2 things are my staples. Every day I wear them to work & any other creativity found in my outfit will just have to be from the waist up.

This brings us to today's birthday suit!

Granted, this is me after a very long hard days work.

I wanted something fun, friendly, and professional.
I chose a Ralph Lauren no iron button up with a polka-dotted J.Crew button up sweater. It was awesome. It was only awesome because the only reason it all came together was because I was cold. This is a fact. Then I caught myself in a door reflection and realized it was meant to be. Especially because it was on my birthday.

Now I'm just rambling.

Now to figure out what else I can pair with my staples. I'll let you know what I figure out for tomorrow.

Good night all.

xoxo Meila

Blogging High

This goes out to all my fellow bloggers.

It feels so good to write. More then that, it feels amazing to write down what your thinking, publish it onto a site, and see that there are people out there actually reading your work.

I had that feeling back in college when I was writing for the paper for my Journalism class. It was so great to be proud of what I was writing. You can be humble and not care about what other people think, but at the end of the day even the rebels care and they are usually the ones who care the most.

Not going to lie, there’s a calmness that comes over me when I feel my fingers run over the keyboard and I see my thoughts flow; from my head, to my fingers, to the screen.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that it’s good to be back in the blogging world and I hope it only grows from here.

xoxo Meila

Honest Fashion

I like fashion blogs. I’ve really taken to them.

You know what I like more then fashion blogs? Fashion blogs that are honest.

As I was scrolling through, I realized that i was going page after page and all the clothes that these girls were wearing were never showing their face again. Damn shame too because they had some seriously cute stuff in there.

But really! Even when I was in middle school I can remember this stigma about girls needing tons and tons of clothes because it was cooler to only wear something once then to be seen in something you’ve worn before.

There is only one article of clothing that should stick to that rule. Ladies, it’s called a wedding dress. Let’s get real.

I just talked about a replacement sweater I got from JCrew. When I realized it got shrunk in the wash I was seriously upset. I’m not typically the kind of person to cry over spilled milk... or clothing, but I clearly like that sweater enough that I’m going to wear it again.

Would I wear it with a coat?
Would I wear it on a boat?
Will I wear it with a skirt?
Will it match my collard shirt?

Apologies, Dr. Suess got into my head a little bit, but the answer is yes to all of these rhyming questions.

Proof in photos to follow.

xoxo Meila

One more time?

& I'm back... again. We're gonna try to make this a once a week... or more often... thing. One thing I'd really like to chat about is how I've recognized that I'm actually growing up.

This is going to sound seriously vain, but I first noticed my maturing by seeing my closet, I was buying much more JCrew and much less Forever21. Now that my money is hard earned from a full time job that will hopefully end up being my career, I take a lot more pride in what I wear. The clothes are nicer, better fitting, and well worth the price increase.

I've also discovered that it's possible to be preppy & unique without being an Abercrombie clone. My style has become prepster chic with a twist that both Zooey Deschanel and Ellen Degeneres would appreciate. It's a nerdy retro style I can wake up in, but don't get me wrong.. I still have my comfy side.

Yet, I have to admit.. even my lounge wear took an upgrade. Of course, I kept my Victoria's Secret yoga pants, but my high school cheerleading sweatshirt got the ultimate face lift.

When I went into the JCrew outlet today to get my replacement sweater (Long story short: It got shrunk in the wash. Sad face.) I found the softest sweatshirt on the planet in the men's section! I got it in medium and I don't even have to worry about giving it back to guy who let me borrow it because it is mine... all mine.

Sweet victory. =)

So go ahead. Spend a little more... Your mind and wallet (yes I said wallet) will thank you in the long run.

& so will your confidence.

xoxo Meila

The Soreness of It All!!

I woke up this morning in my second day soreness. You know how when you workout really hard and you feel great, but then the next day you're feeling it, but it's not so bad? This is the second day.... when you feel it and it IS that bad.

My arms hurt, my legs hurt, my butt hurts (thank you squats) and this doubled with my fibromyalsia, is already hindering on my day.

Don't get me wrong, I'm LOVING every minute of this. I haven't felt this kind of soreness since cheerleading in college. You know you are working hard when it hurts to move =P.

Also, an amazing thing happened yesterday. Since my last hospital visit I've been going to physical therapy to try and get my body back to the shape it was in before I got sick (it'll be 4 years ago this summer). Because my joints need more muscle around them before I can fully run on the road, I've been running in an Alter G Treadmill. This thing is amazing.

This thing is the coolest. You get on these funny looking short that are a mix between wetsuit shorts and a tutu and you get zipped into the hole you see in the middle there. Then you press start and the whole thing blows up around your legs. It takes a minute or so to calculate your weight and everything. Then you start your settings. Right now I'm running on 70% of my body weight and next week it will be 75%.

The AMAZING thing you've all been waiting for. I ran on this treadmill for 20 MINUTES!! Now most of you are like... really? That's all?
When I told my family they couldn't believe it. Some of my friends thought I was lying. I haven't run for that long since before I got sick. Now, I told you how long I've been sick. AMAZING. I looked like a hot red faced mess and it was AWESOME. I'm using a lot of caps due to my overwhelming excitement so bare with me.

Now, I just have to get through my soreness. Remember how great I did yesterday and know that I can push through everything... even if my abs are crying for me to stop =)

Hope you all are reaching your goals as well!

xoxo Meila

P.S. -

Healthy Drinking

... and no I don't mean the alcoholic kind. Although, actually now that I think about it, I'm trying to kick that habit too.

Well! I have decided to go on what I call a non-diet. I've always tried to be a healthy person in my life; eating right, sleeping enough, and of course staying active. That part has never been hard for me, not until recent years.

Yesterday, I had an epiphany. As I was reading health & fitness blog after health & fitness blog I realized one constant detail between them all. They all started small. They slowly changed their diet to a healthy one and slowly increased their exercise load every week.

A-Ha!!! So that's how they do it! (and keep it). All this time I've been trying to force it and I always end up having a healthy breakfast... partially healthy lunch... and then eating an entire box of macaroni and cheese. Organic or not, I know it can't be good for you.

So, I made a promise to myself to start slow. If I have one bad meal, my whole day is not ruined and I can't beat myself up over it. I can only do the best I can. Also, Reese's miniatures are helping a lot. Whenever I feel the need to gorge myself with chocolate (which happens, we all know it does.. especially once a month) then I just have one little piece. I take it with me and have it somewhere away, and preferably on another level, from the kitchen. I enjoy it, I savor it, and I'm not tempted to go back and get more. Especially if there is an entire flight of stairs in my way. Call me lazy... but it works!

So after doing all of this I made a goal for my slowly renovated diet, that coffee would be my big kick. I love coffee. It's good for you. It gives you energy. Yet, I know it can't be good for you the way I drink it. As my friends like to ask me, "Would you like some coffee with that creamer?" I basically try to make my own latte.

What I started with was taking out the cream. I changed to 1% milk and 2 packets of Splenda No calorie sweetener. The I took out the milk entirely. I tried it just black and almost got sick. I definitely was NOT used to the taste so I added 3 packets of Splenda instead of 2. Now, I'm down to 2 and I'm hoping by next week I can be down to 1 until I am drinking completely black coffee. I'm basically training myself to like the harshness of it... Which I actually am starting to like. I love that when I'm done with my cup I'm awake and NOT bloated. Oh what a good feeling.

I'm already noticing changes to my body. No, not because of the coffee. I'm sure that's one small factor, but there is much more to it. I'm doing portion control, spacing out when I eat (which for the most part is every 3-4 hours), I don't eat after 8:00 at night, and I'm doing small workouts throughout the day until I can give a good hour and a half to two hours dedicated to working out.

The two highlights of my week so far?
1. Not feeling anything jiggle while walking around Wal*Mart.
2. Having my arms feel SO SORE today after the weight living I did yesterday.

Awesome.


Stay healthy and have a good day! =)

xoxo Meila

P.S. - If you're going to drink out of a mug, make it a mug you love!!

Making Happiness

Boy, has it been a long time since I've posted. I'm terribly sorry about. Things have been a little crazy in my life to say the least. I had an epiphany today though thanks to a great cup of coffee, Betty Crocker Muffins, and SELF magazine.

I woke up this morning in my usual state, not wanting to get out of bed, but not tired anymore. I decided I wanted to brighten up my day with a bit of baking. I decided to make Betty Crocker Cinnamon Streusel muffins. Let me tell you they are magnificent. Of course, I can't eat a whole batch by myself so I gave some to my parents office and then rest (only 8) will be going to the guys at the firehouse. It felt really good to give and know I was putting a smile on someones face.

While I was waiting for the muffins to bake I was reading one of my favorite magazines, SELF. I love it. It's filled with great tips and advice about health, wellness, fitness, and every now and then fashion. There was an article that immediately caught my attention with a picture of an adorable little pig. Now, as a girl who lives in the country and loves all things cute, this immediately put a smile on my face.

The author went on to explain how she was brought into a kind of temporary depression because of a 3 week long bout of rain. I realized with my 3 year long battle with my health I had gone into the same thing. Not exactly depressed, but not exactly looking on the bright side either. She said she noticed an immediate change when she saw a potbelly pig! It's the little things I tell you. The little things.

By the end of the article they were telling me how I can train, yes train like you are at the gym, you brain to be optimistic and make yourself happy even in a sad moment.

This article truly inspired me to go out and try it today.

I hate to promote things, but if you have been feeling down lately because of a break-up, your job, or whatever maybe you should give this article a read. It's in the newest issue of SELF, the one with Carrie Underwood on the cover (love her).

I will say that as I am not a professional by any means, please do not take this as anymore then it was a great article. If you feel you need more you should certainly seek professional help.

Have a wonderful Tuesday =)

xoxo Meila

Mug Cake!

Today's adventure was fueled by my "perfect day". My house is empty, there is a Phineas & Ferb marathon on Disney XD because it's Platypus Day (my favorite animal), and I have full range of the kitchen! this never happens. The great part about that is I can cook anything and everything.. all for myself. Self, I know, but if you live with your family and cook a lot you know exactly what I'm talking about. Once someone smells what you're cooking.. there is a good chance there won't be much left for you.

I made a simple scrambled egg breakfast to start my morning and had deviled eggs for lunch. I have to admit I was seriously craving deviled eggs for sometime now. then 2:30 rolled around and I got a hankering for chocolate so I made some simple chocolate pudding, but it wasn't what I needed. I've made chocolate pudding before... and then it hit me. MUG CAKE!

I've been wanting to make mug for a few years and just never got around to trying it. Brilliant idea.

The mug cake I used was from this blog.

The differences in mine and the blog's are simply.

I did not mix in bowl (apologies for the messy photo, but i assure you it's wonderful.)

I did not use chocolate chips... simply because I didn't have any.

I DID add marshmallows! It came out great.


Next time... I need to make it dark chocolate.



xoxo Meila

Belated Valentine's Day!

Hello again, from your favorite nerd!
Happy Belated Valentine's Day and do hope that it was wonderful to you.

Mine was pretty great. I got flowers and some great chocolates from my grandmother, wonderful cards from the people I love, and I got to watch Shooter. Such a great movie! I had never seen it before, but I must say that it is truly under-rated.

Anyway! I wanted to gloat about my last adventure before I tell you about my next one. I tried grits. Yes, grits. To some of you that may not be much a feat, but to the rest.. I know you understand where I am coming from.

My mother went to school in West Virginia and so of course she's been a fan of grits since then. She has always told me that I would love it, but I refused to even look at it. You can't blame me. The appearance alone isn't exactly the most enticing. I have been slowly building myself to try new things, especially of this type, such as trying oatmeal... get used to it... then liking it.

My opportunity came when I saw Cheese Grits at the top of the brunch menu at this little place in the city called The Kitchenette. Adorable, by the way, and you can't miss it because the light blue and white polka dots stick out like a sore thumb against the aged red brick behind it. Well, anyone who knows me knows that I am obsessed with two things... Star Wars and cheese. I figured that if I didn't like the grits then I would at least like the cheese that was on it. To my surprise, and possibly demise, I loved them! I couldn't resist. I ate until all the cheese was gone and then I put syrup in them and I loved em even more!

I was sad to see my long fueled feud end, but was happy that I got up enough courage to try it and now I can enjoy it. Especially on my trip to the south tomorrow for Presidents day weekend! I will tell you about all the fun places I went when I get back.

xoxo Meila

Apologies!

So sorry to be away so long, but how could you not forgive that face.

Life has been hectic to say the least. I'm trying to square things away for possibly going to school next fall and I seem to have the photographers version of writing block. I truly have no idea what is wrong, but I seem to be in some sort of funk. This might sound lame to all of you, but I feel like it's my room.

I'm still living with my parents and going from dorm life to home life is nothing less then stressful. Always having to let them know where your going and if you're coming home is hard, but I know they love me. My room... is... adolescent. I don't mean in the "I still have dolls and teddy bears all over my room" kind of way, but more in the "sky blue walls and purple and green tye dye gymnastics border" kind of way. It has to go.

Unfortunately, but room is filled with things that are very hard to place.. especially since half of it came from my apartment and I have no where to put mugs in a bedroom. One step at a time though. I figured I'll get started on the packing everything up, putting it in the attic, and changing the easiest thing I can. My bed. Just got new pillows and a bed topper and now I want to take a nap.

If anyone knows of any comforters that are quirky and fun, I'm all ears... or eyes I suppose.

Till next time!

xoxo Meila

Key West

Good morning! So sorry to be late with this, but life has been hectic to say the least.

Christmas vacation was the best trip to key west I've had in a very long time. This was the first year I was down there and I was legal to drink, so that alone made things better. They keys is pretty laid back and so most of the places that are must-sees are bars. One bar, for example, is called Captain Tony's Saloon. The atmosphere is great and people are so nice, but there 2 things to realize when you walk in. 1. There is a tree in the middle of the bar. It goes straight through to the roof. It was a hanging tree back when Key West was a pirate town. 2. When you walk in there is a pool room to your right with 2 tables and benches along the edge. In front of one bench is a grave stone laying down in the concrete for a young girl named Elvira who died when she was only 19. Along the bottom edge is stone as a foundation and you will see green glass bottles. You'll notice water in them... that has been blessed.

Of course I learned all of this on the ghost tour that we took. It was really cool. If you choose to go on one I recommend the Original Ghost Tour. Our tour guide was a riot.

The water was beautiful and the fish were great!

I highly recommend going to the keys if ever you get the chance.